Tuning device for stringed instruments



(No ModeL) M. JOHNSON.

UNING DEVICE FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

N0. 2 62. Patented Nov. 6, 1883.

Y m WM v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATHEW JOHNSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TUNING DEVICE FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,062, dated November 6, 1883.

Application filed November 13, 1882. (No model.)

no f i To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MATHEW J OHNSON, a citizen of the United States of America, re.- siding at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new Improvement in Auxiliary Tuning Devices for Stringed Instruments, of which the following is a specification, to wit:

This invention relates to improvements in devices for tuning the strings of a piano or any stringed instrument having a bridge and strings tuned for permanent use; and it consists in a small holder adapted to engage the strings between the bridge and the pins to which they are secured, and adjustable to give more or less tension to the strings, said holder being constructed as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to avail themselves of its benefits, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to 'the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of my invention applied to piano-strings, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of the same.

A represents the sounding-board of a piano, and a a the strings, which are secured at one end to the pins 1) b, and, passing over the bridges B B, are attached at the other end to the keys 0 O, in the usual manner. Between the keys 0 G and the bridge B, I secure in the soundingboard a series of pins or posts, D, which are screw-threaded and slotted vertically nearly their whole length above the board A. The strings a a pass through the slots (1 (Z in the posts D, which are so set as not to deflect the strings either to the right or left, and within the slots (1 d is placed a loose flat piece of metal, D, with a head, (1, on its lower end,

which proj ects beyond the sides of the posts D and rests upon the strings. The piece D is cut away behind the head (2, and formed with a long shank, d, which is inclosed by an internally-threaded cap, D screwed down over the post D till its lower end rests upon the head dof the metal slide D; This cap is,

I ments.

upon its upper end, formed square or angular for the attachment of a key to screw it up or down on the post.

A It is intended that when the piano is made the strings will be tuned, in the usual way, by the securing-keys O G. \Vhen, however, by frequent handling or changes of climate or temperature, they stretch or become loosened, as frequently happens, it is not necessary to employ a professional tuner, as isnow done; but any one may, by screwing down the cap D", force down the metal slide D, thus depressing the string, giving it enough additional tension to raise it to the desired pitch.

This invention is very simple and easily operated by any one, does not require much power to use it, and is a valuable auxiliary to the usual tuning keys used upon such instru- Its use is not confined to pianos, but it will be found equally effective in any stringed instrument in which the strings are passed over a bridge and permanently tuned.

I am aware that tuning devices have heretofore been arranged to act upon the strings of the piano between the keys and bridge, and therefore I do not claim such, broadly; but,

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a piano or similar stringed instrument which is permanently tuned, a slotted post, D, through which the string is passed, and provided with a cap which is passed over the post,

and adapted to be forced down up on the string to deflect it from its normal position, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the soundingboard, bridge, strings, and permanent tuningkeys of a piano or similar instrument, of the slotted post D, screw-cap D and slide D, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MATHEXV JOHNSON.

W'itnesses J. E. STEVENsON, FRANK Jorrnson. 

